Selma Blair is walking back an anti-Islam comment after facing heavy social media backlash.
The Cruel Intentions star wrote a lengthy apology for leaving a since-deleted Islamophobic comment last week. “I mistakenly and inadvertently conflated Muslims with Radical Islamists and fundamentalists, a terrible err in my words, and resulted in hurting countless people I never meant to, and I deeply regret this,” Blair wrote.
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Blair’s original comment read, “Thank you very much. Deport all these terrorist supporting goons. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroy minds. They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. May they meet their fate.”
The actress had commented on a video from Abraham Dabra, which had called Congressional representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib “Jew hating antisemites” for being the only two reps that voted against a measure banning Hamas members from immigrating to the United States. On her website, Tlaib deemed the measure “unnecessary because it is redundant with already existing federal law. It’s just another GOP messaging bill being used to incite anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, and anti-Muslim hatred that makes communities like ours unsafe,” which Bush echoed on social media.
In her apology, Blair explained that she deleted the comment as soon as she was informed of her “error.”
“Hate and misinformation are amplified so easily these days. This time by my own hands,” she wrote. “In this instance, I erred in my writing and I fully recognize how I contributed to the Muslim community being understandably very upset. I respect and love all peace-loving communities, all over the world.”
Blair said that her Muslim friends “helped educate” her on the issue at hand. “I am dedicated to tolerance and peace for all who want it – not hate,” she said. “I apologize to those in the Muslim community who I offended with my words. I apologize to my friends. And I apologize to anyone I hurt. And I will do better.”
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